Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 100,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Bimmerfest including the ability to search, interact with existing members and the option to turn off contextual advertising in posts. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

Go Back   bimmerfest - BMW Forums > BMW Model Discussions > 3 Series > E36 (1991 - 1999)

E36 (1991 - 1999)
The E36 chassis 3-Series BMW was a huge hit among driving enthusiasts from the first moment the car hit the pavement. The E36 won numerous awards over the years it was produced and is still a favorite of many BMW enthusiasts to this day! -- View the E36 Wiki

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-14-2006, 10:13 AM
singring singring is offline
Registered User
Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 29
Mein auto: 1995 318i Automatic
Replacing timing chain tensioner...need help !!!

My 1995 318i M42 engine is getting the timing chain rattle noise on cold starts and idling, and I have a M44 new-design Febi chain tensioner ordered, and on it's way. I have reviewed my Bentley manual, and the replacement seems fairly straight forward, but I'm a little confused about a couple of things:

1. When compressing the tensioner twice in a vise, oil will seep out of the weep hole. I am assuming that the loss of the oil keeps the tensioner in the compressed state until installation. After installation, how does oil get back into the tensioner so it expands against the chain rail guide? In other words, if I start and run the engine with no tension against the chain, won't that possibly cause the timing chain to jump a sprocket, and ruin the engine??

2. In the Bentley manual, it says that the old design M42 tensioner, is spring-loaded, and when compressed in a vise, a snap ring holds the tensioner in a compressed state. After installation, to uncompress the tensioner, you are suppose to push the chain rail guide against the tensioner. How can you do this, without previously removing the timing chain cover? Bentley is ambiguous in this final step....it implies that this is required for both the M42 and M44 tensioners.

3. I've even seen a BMW shop manual page from a CD, that says something to the effect..." after installation, to release compression of tensioner, turn counter engine-wise "....what the hell is that suppose to mean?

4. Should I drain the engine oil before doing the replacement? Or, is there little engine oil loss?

5.Any other advice, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Forum Navigation
Go Back   bimmerfest - BMW Forums > BMW Model Discussions > 3 Series > E36 (1991 - 1999)
Today's Posts Search
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
6-cyl double vanos problem assessment (from Roadfly) chivas General BMW 31 11-23-2008 12:39 PM
Vanos or timing chain or ?? issue ///M-Bark Z3 (1996-2002) and Z4 (2003-2008) 22 07-03-2006 07:52 AM
318i Timing Chain Rattle singring E36 (1991 - 1999) 1 05-12-2006 10:32 AM
Replacing a chain tensioner lesl2 E36 (1991 - 1999) 2 05-02-2006 03:15 PM
e39 engine... timing belt or timing chain? frooky 5 Series 2 01-29-2005 11:15 AM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2001-2009 performanceIX, Inc. All Rights Reserved .: guidelines .:. privacy .:. terms